Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:139. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education if the commitment to deliver the new extension at a school (details supplied) will be delivered upon. [14244/23]
View answerThursday, 23 March 2023
Questions (139)
Written answers
I can confirm to the Deputy, that the school in question was approved significant capital funding under my Department's Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme and this project is currently devolved to the school authorities for delivery.
The capital funding was for the provision of 16 x Mainstream classrooms, 4 x SET rooms, a large amount of specialist teaching rooms and 4 classrooms for students with special educational needs.
In addition to this project, modular accommodation was also approved under the ASA Scheme to cater for growing enrolments at the school in question. My Department is continuing to engage with the school's patron in respect of the scope of the required modular accommodation.
My Department's Planning and Building Unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2023 in the context of its available funding. My Department's published NDP allocation for 2023 is €0.86 billion. High construction inflation remains a continuing feature of the construction sector for 2023. As part of its planning ahead for 2023, my Department is engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to capital funding pressures in order to continue to be able to adequately support the operation of the school system with rollout of school building projects to construction in 2023.
Key priorities for my Department's work programme include continuing strong delivery to support the operation of the school system with particular regard to planning ahead for the 2023/24 school year and beyond and also with particular regard to supporting special needs provision. The school to which the Deputy refers is among the many school accommodation needs across the country being considered as part of this process.
My Department will be in further contact with the school authorities in due course.